Normal humans have the natural ability to produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D and calcium absorption work together in your body since according to Mouthhealthy.org, vitamin D is needed to help absorb, carry and deposit calcium in the bone that supports your teeth. It also regulates the in musculoskeletal health through the mediation of calcium absorption and mineral homeostasis. Vitamin D is key to maintaining healthy bones and preventing osteoporosis.
Your levels of vitamin D is an indicator of your overall health because vitamin D is linked to almost every system in your body. Mayo Clinic reports that although the amount of vitamin D adults get from their diets is often less than what’s recommended, exposure to sunlight can make up for the difference.
Thought getting enough sunlight is important, it is also important to get the right kinds of food. Mayo Clinic reports that this is particularly true for people who are obese, have a dark skin tone, and who are over the age of 65. Vitamin D deficiency can harm your mental health and can raise your risk for other often life-threatening diseases and conditions, including:
- Dementia: According to a study, found that different levels of vitamin D deficiency in older adults related to an increased risk for some forms of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association states that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, as high as 80% of cases.
- Prostate Cancer: found a link between low blood levels of vitamin D and aggressive prostate cancer in European-American and African-American men.
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Men with severe ED tend to significantly low levels of vitamin D compared to men with mild ED. the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that ED is the most common sexual problem among men, affecting up to 30 million American men.
- Schizophrenia: This severe brain disorder affects about 1.1% of American adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. There has been research that observed that the two factors are linked, which explains the connection between the condition and its prevalence in places with high latitudes and cold climates.
- Heart Disease: Numerous studies have shown an association between low vitamin levels and heart disease, though the science has not shown if supplementation can reduce the risks.
(this list was compiled from information found on https://www.everydayhealth.com)
The American Heart Association recommendations to reduce your risk of heart disease by maintaining a healthy weight, working out, and eating a diet packed with foods like lean meat, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Like everything in life, if you have too much of something, it can potentially be harmful. The National Institutes of Health reports that when the amounts of vitamin D in the blood get too high, can be very damaging to the body, especially to the kidneys. Signs of vitamin D toxicity include nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss. It is recommended that you contact your healthcare provider for any concerns you might have about vitamin D. O’Connor Health Center in San Jose is here to provide you with the information you need to take the next step in your health journey. We educate about patients and help them design meal plans that can help them fuel their body in the right way. Call us at (650) 334-1010 to book a consultation today!